Sorry if I sound like one of those "loudmouthed" Americans here. I'm planning to visit Vancouver Island for my 30th birthday trip this July because I want to visit Canada and help support Canada with my tourist dollars (Elbows Up!) and still support that Pacific Northwest connection. I am purposefully choosing to visit Vancouver Island over anywhere in the States. For me, British Columbia feels almost the same as the US West Coast minus all the anti-intellectual, anti-science and religious fundamentalist people. I might not be able to buy many Canadian-based products here in the States, but traveling to Canada is a fantastic way for me to make a great contribution to the Buy Canadian movement and "help" support our northern neighbors against our horrendous government.